Generator, Uninterruptable Power Supply, or Both for Your Home or Business

A generator can mean a power generator or a portable generator. Sternberg helps St Paul Minneapolis customers learn the difference and recommends which system you need.

At home, and in business, we become more reliant on technology and machinery every year.

The demand for constant power means we must worry about more than storms, power surges, and infrastructure failures interrupting our lives.

Utility companies try to keep up with the demand, but brownouts and rolling blackouts are sometimes mandated by limited supply.

In business, a power failure can damage sensitive equipment, make you miss uptime guarantees, and - in healthcare industries - risk the life and health of patients. This is all in addition to lost revenue from work stoppages. Standby generators are critical for many companies.

At home, a backup generator keeps your AC, heat, and security systems up.

Standby and Portable Generators

Generators come in many forms, most are a variation of either a stand-alone/standby generator or a portable unit.

Portable

Portable models run on diesel or gasoline. They must be manually turned on when needed, refueled, and consistently maintained. While less expensive, they are perfect for most household needs and remote job sites. They are, as the name implies, portable.

Standby

Electricians install standby or stand-alone units onsite. Standby systems usually supply the power they store in batteries, during regular operation, when outages occur. Some models include a battery starter for a diesel generator. When the power goes out, these generators switch to stored supplies. They come on in seconds and can run for extended periods.

Inline

Inline generators are a version that resides between the power company and your business.

During regular operation, they store a small amount of electricity and pass the rest to the building. When they detect a failure or dangerous drop, they supply power from the existing stores, creating continuous uptime.

Your entire building functions without the delay caused by other types of generators. This is the most expensive option, and necessary if all business functions are critical.

Most companies have a few electronics that simply cannot stop working. You can mitigate the cost by combining standby generators and UPS systems on critical systems.

UPS Systems for Businesses and Some Homes

An uninterruptable power supply (UPS) is a small battery attached to a computer or machine that cannot lose power. When power fails, the UPS keeps equipment running for a few seconds, enough time for proper shutdown or for a standby system to kick in.

UPS systems are normally used in business settings, while homes rely on portable or standby units. Some lighter versions of inline generators are now available for homes. Remote workers and entrepreneurs should consider inline options.

What is a Power Generator?

When most people say ‘generator’ they mean a backup system. When speaking to an electrician, keep in mind they may think of the original term. Generators convert fuel, wind, solar, or hydroelectric activity into electricity.

The similarity in names comes from your backup system’s similarity to the originals.

As your Master Electrician, Sternberg strives to make life easy, by understanding your needs. We note this here in case the word came up from another electrician, who may not have been clear.

Let Sternberg Save You from Costly Downtime

At Sternberg Electric Service we want to make your life better. Let one of our continuously trained electricians work with you to determine the needs of your business or home/home office.

Request Master Electrician Services

651-464-7359

Generator Services